Methods and Apparatus for Providing an Alternative Communications Path Between a First Base Station and a Spectrum Access System (SAS) Via a Second Base Station

The present application relates to wireless networks and more particularly to methods and apparatus for increasing the reliability of communications between a base station, e.g., a CBRS gNB, and a spectrum access system (SAS), e.g., via implementation of an alternative communication path to be used in the event of a suspected failure of the traditional communications path.

Multiple System Operators (MSOs) have recently been establishing their own Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) networks to service their subscriber UEs whenever possible. CBRS networks require registration, e.g., registration of each one or more CBRS base stations, and grant(s), e.g., a spectrum grant to one or more of the registered CBRS base stations from a Spectrum Access System (SAS) for the CBRS network to function. A grant to a CBRS base station is renewed by an SAS via a heartbeat process which involves the CBRS base station receiving a heartbeat signal, e.g., a heartbeat message, sometimes referred to simply as a heartbeat, from the SAS. Traditionally, the heartbeat is communicated using the radios of the CBRS base station and a domain proxy. However, sometimes the communication between a CBRS base station, e.g., a gNB CBRS base station, and a SAS can get interrupted, e.g., due to software upgrades, communication channel changes, outage of the domain proxy, problems with an interface on the CBRS base station, domain proxy or SAS, problems with a communications link along the traditional communications path, or for other reasons. This interruption of the communications between the CBRS base station and the SAS can result in the CBRS base station not receiving a message indicating that the grant is being renewed, and the CBRS base station will stop using the previously granted spectrum since it is unaware that the SAS has renewed the grant. This can result in the CBRS base station being effectively shut down with regard to operations servicing its UEs, and the UEs, operating the CBRS base station will need to transition to another base station, e.g., a mobile network operator (MNO) partner network macro base station, if available. This can result in a degraded quality of experience to the UE subscribers and/or cost increases from the perspective of the MSO UE subscriber and/or MSO.

It is desirable, from the perspective of a MSO operator, which has its own CBRS network including its own CBRS base stations, to keep its subscriber UEs on its own network. Based on the above discussion there is a need for new methods and apparatus to increase the robustness of the communications between CBRS base stations and SAS. In particular, it would be desirable if an alternative communications path between a base station and SAS could be supported in the event of a failure with regard to a primary communications path between the base station and SAS.

Methods and apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, provide an alternative channel for renewal of a grant from an SAS to a first base station, e.g., a first CBRS gNB. This alternative channel provides a means to get status of a grant from SAS directly and provide it to the first base station, while its traditional communication channel with SAS, which typically involves a domain proxy remains interrupted and while there are no active UEs at the first base station to assist. In accordance with a feature of some embodiments of the present invention, the alternative channel includes a path which includes a second base station, a user equipment (UE) with a connection manager (CM) at the second base station and a server, e.g., a connection manager (CM) server. In some such embodiments, a UE with CM within the MSO network, which is active at the second base station, will take on the task of getting the status through the MSO's network or MNO's network. The grant status/grant renewal message is delivered, via the UE and the second base station, to the first base station, e.g., first CBRS gNB, and if the grant is renewed, the first base station, e.g., first CBRS gNB, renews the grant expiration and continues to transmit.

Methods and apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, include steps and architecture to support the renewal of a grant via an alternative path, when a first base station, e.g. a first CBRS gNB, and SAS are unable to communicate via the traditional path, e.g. through a domain proxy and when there are no active UEs at the first base station to assist. A CM application on the UE and a CM server play important roles in this alternative method of renewal of grant via an alternative path. In addition, the Xn interface between the first and second base station is used to communicate messages including a grant renewal request and a grant renewal request response.

In some embodiments, the first base station, e.g. first CBRS gNB, detects that a predetermined time to grant expiration has been reached, e.g., indicating that there is a problem with the traditional path between the first base station, e.g. first CBRS gNB, and SAS, and in response sends an upcoming timing expiration notification to its access and mobility management function (AMF). The AMF determines whether or not there is an active UE with CM, which can be used to communicate a grant renewal request to the SAS via an alternative path. If the AMF determines that there are no active UEs at the first base station but there are one or more active UEs at a second base station, which can be used, the AMF selects one of the active UEs at the second base station to be used to send a grant renewal request to the SAS via an alternative path. If the AMF determines that there are not any active UEs with CM, which can be used, the AMF finds the most recently active (but currently inactive) UE with CM, e.g., at the second base station, initiates paging of the most recently active UE and RRC re-connection operations are performed to transition the identified UE into an RRC connected mode.

The AMF or first base station sends a grant renewal request, corresponding to the first base station, to the selected or identified UE with CM, via the second base station, for delivery to the SAS via the connection manager (CM) server. The CM application in the UE decides whether the path is to be via the MSO network or via the MNO network. Subsequently, the UE with CM receives a grant renewal request response from the SAS communicated via the CM server and forwards the grant renewal request response, via the second base station, toward the first base station. If the grant renewal request response is positive, indicating the SAS spectrum grant is renewed, the first base station, e.g. first CBRS gNB renews the transmit expiration time and continues to use the spectrum in the area with the renewed grant.

An exemplary communications method, in accordance with some embodiments, comprises: detecting, at a first base station, reaching a predetermined time to Spectrum Access System (SAS) resource grant expiration); sending, from the first base station, in response to reaching the predetermined time to grant expiration, an upcoming timer expiration message to an AMF; and operating the AMF to identify a UE at a second base station for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station to the SAS.

While various features are discussed in the above summary, all features discussed above need not be supported in all embodiments and numerous variations are possible. Additional features, details and embodiments are discussed in the detailed description which follows.

1 FIG. 100 100 102 104 106 108 110 128 118 120 136 is a drawing of an exemplary communications systemin accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary communications systemincludes a spectrum access system (SAS), a domain proxy, an operation support system (OSS), a connection manager (CM) server, a Multiple-System Operator (MSO), e.g., Charter, core network, a Mobile Network Operator (MNO), e.g., Verizon, core network, a plurality of MSO base stations (gNB1A, . . . , gNBNA), e.g., a plurality of Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) base stations, and a MSO base station (gNB1B), e.g., a macro base station, coupled together as shown.

102 104 166 102 108 176 104 106 172 106 110 174 106 108 SASis coupled to domain proxyvia communications link. SASis coupled to connection manager servervia communications link. Domain proxyis coupled to OSSvia communications link. OSSis coupled to MSO core networkvia communications link. In various embodiments, OSSand CM serverare part of the MSO system.

118 120 119 121 136 137 100 122 124 126 190 122 124 126 190 123 125 127 191 108 122 124 126 190 122 124 126 190 118 120 Each of the MSO base stations (gNB1A, . . . , gNBNA), has a corresponding wireless coverage area (, . . . ,), respectively. The MNO base station, gNB1B, has a corresponding wireless coverage area. Exemplary communications systemfurther includes a plurality of user equipments (UE 1, UE 2, . . . , UEN−1, UEN) corresponding to the MSO, e.g. Charter. Each of the UEs (,, . . . ,,) includes a corresponding connection manager (CM) module (,, . . . ,,) used for communicating with the CM server. In various embodiments, the UEs (,, . . . ,,) are dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) UEs, e.g., including a SIM card corresponding to the MSO and SIM card corresponding to the MNO. In various embodiments, it is desirable that the UEs (,, . . . ,,) use the MSO base stations (, . . . ,), whenever adequate service can be provided in accordance with the service agreement and utilize the MNO's base stations as a back-up, e.g., in situations in which MSO service is not available or cannot be provided with adequate QoS.

110 116 114 112 128 130 132 134 MSO core networkincludes a plurality of functions/modules including an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), and a user plane function (UPF). MNO core networkincludes a plurality of functions/modules including an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), and a user plane function (UPF).

118 116 150 112 152 120 116 154 112 156 118 104 168 120 104 170 112 108 145 140 142 134 108 139 140 141 136 130 158 136 134 160 130 132 131 132 134 133 199 118 120 MSO gNB1A base station, e.g., a CBSD, is coupled to AMFvia connectionand is coupled to UPFvia connection. MSO gNBNA base station, e.g., a CBSD, is coupled to AMFvia connectionand is coupled to UPFvia connection. MSO gNB1A base stationis further coupled to domain proxyvia communications link. MSO gNBNA base stationis further coupled to domain proxyvia communications link. UPFis coupled to CM servervia connection, Internet portion′ and connection. UPFis coupled to CM servervia connection, Internet portionand connection. MNO gNB1B base stationis coupled to AMFvia connection. MNO gNB1B base stationis coupled to UPFvia connection. AMFis coupled to SMFvia connection. SMFis coupled to UPFvia connection. There may be, and sometimes is a XN connectionbetween MSO gNB1Aand MSO gNBNA.

122 124 126 190 100 122 120 162 136 164 162 124 126 190 At least some of the UEs (UE1, UE2, . . . UEN−1, UEN) are mobile devices which may move throughout the systemand be connected to different base stations at different times. Exemplary UE1is shown connected to MSO gNBNA base stationvia wireless communications linkand is shown connected to MNO gNB1B base stationvia wireless communications link. In one example, UE1is, e.g., in an active mode or in an inactive mode, and UE2, UEN−1and UENare, e.g., powered off.

118 102 168 104 166 118 102 199 120 122 123 108 110 116 116 118 120 Typically, a grant request (for spectrum) and a corresponding grant request response are communicated between MSO gNB1Aand SASvia a path including connection, domain proxyand connection. Heartbeat messages are also communicated along this path. An interface or connection along this path may fail. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, an alternative path between gNB1Aand SASis established and used, said alternative path including an XN connection, e.g. XN connection, another MSO gNB base station, e.g., gNBNA, a UE including a CM, e.g., UE1including CM, and the CM server. In some embodiments, MSOincludes one or more additional AMFs in addition to AMF, e.g., different AMFs corresponding to different regions; and AMFprovides communications connectivity to both MSO gNB1Aand MSO gNBNA, e.g., two adjacent MSO base stations.

2 FIG. 2 FIG.A 2 FIG.B 2 FIG.C 2 FIG.D 2 FIG.E 2 FIG. 200 201 203 205 207 209 100 108 136 122 123 120 118 116 104 102 , comprising the combination of,,,and, is a signaling diagram, comprising Part A, Part B, Part C, Part Dand Part E, of an exemplary method of operating a communications systemin accordance with an exemplary embodiment.includes connection manager (CM) server, MNO gNB1B, e.g., a Verizon macro base station, which is sometimes referred to as a third base station (BS), UE 1including CM, MSO gNBNA, e.g., a Charter CBRS base station, which sometimes referred to as a second base station (BS), MSO gNB1A, e.g., a Charter CBRS base station, which sometimes referred to as a first base station (BS), AMF, which is one of the AMFs included in the MSO core, domain proxyand SAS.

118 102 202 118 204 104 206 104 204 208 104 210 102 212 102 210 118 102 214 216 104 104 216 218 220 222 118 118 222 224 Consider that gNB1Ahas been previously granted, by SAS, spectrum to use. In step, gNB1Abase stationgenerates and sends grant renewal request messageto domain proxy. In step, domain proxymay, and generally does, receive grant renewal request, and in stepdomain proxymay, and generally does, forward the received grant renewal request as messageto the SAS. In stepSASmay, and generally does, receive grant renewal requestand process the renewal request. Assuming the spectrum is still available to be used by gNB1A, the SAS, in step, may, and generally does, generate and sends a positive grant renewal request responseto the domain proxy. The domain proxymay, and generally does, receive the grant renewal request responsein stepand in stepsend a forwarded copy of the grant renewal request response in messageto gNB1A. The gNB1Amay, and generally does, receive and process the grant renewal request response messagein step.

118 104 102 226 228 230 232 118 222 204 There may be a problem along the communications path, e.g., in one of the interfaces of gNB1A, of domain proxy, or of SAS, or in on of the communications links along the path, as indicated by any of X's,,,, which results in the gNB1Anot receiving a grant renewal request response, in response to previously transmitted grant renewal request.

234 118 102 234 236 118 238 116 240 116 238 In stepgNB1Adetects reaching a predetermined time to grant expiration, without receiving a grant renewal request response from the SAS. In response to the detection of step, in step, gNB1Agenerates and sends an upcoming timer expiration notification messageto AMF. In stepAMFreceives the upcoming timer expiration notification message.

238 116 241 120 118 102 120 116 118 241 242 248 252 In response to receiving the upcoming timer notification expiration message, the AMF, in stepis operated to identify a UE with CM at gNBNAfor communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of gNB1Ato the SAS, wherein gNBNAhas communications connectivity to the AMF, which also provides service to gNB1A. Stepincludes steps,and.

242 116 120 242 244 246 242 244 116 120 246 116 120 In stepAMFdetermines whether or not there is an active UE with CM at gNBNA. Stepincludes stepand step, one of which is executed for each iteration of step. In stepthe AMFdetermines that there is at least one active UE with CM at gNBNA. In stepthe AMFdetermines that there are no active UEs with CM at gNBNA.

244 248 246 252 248 116 120 118 108 102 248 120 122 123 248 250 116 122 120 118 102 Operation proceeds from stepto step; or alternatively, operation proceeds from stepto step. In stepthe AMFidentifies active UEs with CM at gNBNAfor possible use for sending a grant renewal request, on behalf of gNB1A, to the connection manager server, e.g., for delivery to SAS. For example, the identified active UEs of stepinclude a set of one more UEs which are currently active at gNBNAincluding UE1with CM. Operation proceeds from stepto step, in which the AMFselects an active UE, e.g. the AMF selects UE1from among the identified active UEs with CM at gNBNA, to be used for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of gNB1Ato the SAS.

252 116 120 122 118 108 102 252 254 116 122 120 120 118 102 108 254 256 122 256 258 258 116 259 118 122 120 260 118 259 261 118 262 120 122 120 264 120 262 122 266 120 268 122 In stepthe AMFidentifies an inactive UE with CM, which is the last known active UE with CM at gNBNA, e.g., identifies UE1, for possible use for sending a grant renewal request, on behalf of gNB1A, to the connection manager server, e.g., for delivery to the SAS. Operation proceeds from stepto step, in which the AMFselects UE1, which is a currently inactive at gNBNAand which has been identified as the last know active UE with CM at gNBNA, to be used for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of gNB1Ato the SAS, e.g., via CM server. Operation proceeds from stepto information block, which indicates that UE 1is in inactive mode. Operation proceeds from information blockto step. In stepthe AMFgenerates and sends radio access network (RAN) paging request messageto gNB1A, requesting paging of UE 1, which is the last known active UE at gNBNA. In step, gNB1Areceives the RAN paging message, and in stepgNB1Agenerates and sends RAN paging request messageover XN to gNBNA, requesting paging of UE1, which is the last known active UE at gNBNA. In stepgNBNAreceives the RAN paging request message, which requests paging of UE1, and in response in stepgNBNAgenerates and transmits paging messagepaging UE1.

270 122 268 268 122 120 271 272 274 122 120 275 276 120 277 278 120 116 279 In stepUE1, which is in inactive mode, detects paging messageand recognizes that it is being paged. In response to the detected paging message, UE1and gNBNAin stepare operated to perform RRC connection resume procedures. In stepsand, UE 1and gNBNAare operated, respectively, to communicate RRC connection resume signaling. In step, gNBNAis operated to retrieve UE1 context, e.g., from the MSO core. In stepsandgNBNAand AMF, are operated, respectively, to communicate UE1 context retrieval signaling.

280 120 116 282 284 120 116 285 286 122 In stepgNBNAand AMFare operated to perform RRC connection resume procedures. In stepsand, gNBNAand AMFare operated, respectively, to communicate RRC connection resume signaling. In step, UE1is in RRC connected mode.

286 288 288 116 290 118 122 290 290 122 120 291 292 122 290 292 324 Operation proceeds from stepto step. In stepAMFgenerates and sends grant renewal request(on behalf of gNB1A) to UE1via gNBNA. The grant renewal request messageis sometimes referred to as a heartbeat request message. The grant renewal requestis sent to UE1via gNBNA, as indicated by circle. In stepUE1receives the grant renewal request message. Operation proceeds from stepto step.

250 250 294 294 116 296 118 122 118 102 122 120 268 118 296 300 118 302 120 302 120 122 120 102 304 120 302 306 120 302 308 118 310 118 308 312 118 314 120 314 102 118 Returning to step, operation proceeds from stepto step. In step, AMFgenerates and sends messageto gNB1Aindicating UE1is an active UE, which may be used to send a grant renewal request on behalf of gNB1Avia CM to SAS, and UE1is at gNBNA. In step, gNB1Areceives messageand recovers the communicated information. In step, gNB1Agenerates and sends active UE confirm request messageto gNBNAover XN, said active UE confirm request messagerequesting gNBNAto confirm that UE1is active at gNBNAand is capable of supporting the grant renewal request to SASvia CM. In step, gNBNAreceives the gNBNA active UE confirm request. In step, gNBNAprocesses the active UE confirm requestand generates and sends an active UE confirm response message, e.g., indicating a positive response (Y), to gNB1Aover XN. In step, gNB1Areceives the active UE confirm response messageand recovers the communicated information. In step, gNB1A, in response to determining that the received active UE confirm response was positive, generates and sends grant renewal request messageover XN to gNBNA, said grant renewal request messagecorresponding to a grant from the SASto gNB1Ato use spectrum.

316 120 314 318 120 118 122 322 122 320 322 324 In stepgNBNAreceives the grant renewal request message, and in response, in step, gNBNAgenerates and sends grant renewal request (on behalf of gNB1A) to UE1. In stepUE 1receives the grant renewal request message. Operation proceeds from stepto step.

324 122 118 108 120 136 324 326 122 123 108 120 328 122 123 108 136 326 330 328 382 2 FIG.C 2 FIG.D 2 FIG.C 2 FIG.E In stepUE1decides whether to send the grant renewal request (on behalf of gNB1A) to the CM servervia the gNBNAof MSO (e.g., Charter) or via the gNB1Bof MNO (e.g., Verizon). Stepincludes stepin which UE1including CMdecides to send the grant renewal request to the CM servervia gNBNAof the MSO or stepin which UE1including CMdecides to send the grant renewal request to the CM servervia gNB1Bof the MNO. Operation proceeds from stepofto stepofor alternatively, operation proceeds from stepofto stepof.

330 330 122 332 108 120 333 334 108 332 336 108 338 332 102 340 102 338 329 332 333 335 336 340 332 338 122 102 118 122 120 123 122 Returning to step, in stepUE1generates and sends grant renewal requestto CM servervia gNBNA, as indicated by circle. In stepthe CM serverreceives the grant renewal request message, and in response, in step, the CM servergenerates and sends grant renewal request message(which is forwarded copy of grant renewal request message) to SAS. In step, SASreceives and processes the grant renewal request. Block, which includes steps,,,,and communicated signals/messages,, shows the communication path of a grant renewal request from UE 1to SASon behalf of a first base station, which is gNB1A. In this example, UE1routes the grant renewal request through a second base station, which is gNBNA, e.g., based on the path selection of CM applicationin UE.

342 102 344 108 314 346 108 344 348 108 350 354 122 123 120 351 352 122 350 341 342 346 348 351 352 344 350 102 122 118 120 In step, the SASgenerates and sends a grant renewal request responseto the CM server. The grant renewal request response messageis sometimes referred to as a heartbeat message. In stepthe CM serverreceives the grant renewal request response. In stepthe connection manager servergenerates and sends grant renewal request response(which is a forwarded copy of grant renewal request response) to UE1including CMvia gNBNA, as indicated by circle. In stepUE1receives the grant renewal request response. Block, which includes steps,,,,and communicated signals/messages,, shows the communication path of a grant renewal request response from SASto UE1on behalf of a first base station, which is gNB1A. In this example, the grant renewal request response is routed through a second base station, which is gNBNA.

350 320 118 352 354 350 290 116 352 366 If the received grant renewal request response, is in response to grant renewal request(no paging scenario—request originally sourced from gNB1A) then operation proceeds from stepto step. If the received grant renewal request response, is in response to grant renewal request(paging scenario—request originally sourced from AMF), then operation proceeds from stepto step.

354 354 122 356 120 358 120 356 360 120 362 356 118 364 118 364 354 354 358 360 364 356 362 122 118 122 122 120 364 378 Returning to step, in stepUE1generates and sends grant renewal request responseto gNBNA. In stepgNBNAreceives the grant renewal request response. In stepgNBNAgenerates and sends grant renewal request response, which is a forwarded copy of message, to gNB1Aover XN. In step, gNB1Areceives the grant renewal request responseand recovers the communicated information, e.g., a positive response indicating that the granted spectrum is being renewed. Block, which includes steps,,,and communicated signals/messages,, shows the communication path of a grant renewal request response from UE 1to the first base station, which is gNB1A, for a scenario in which paging was not required to identify UE 1, e.g., UE 1was initially an active UE at the second base station gNBNA. Operation proceeds from stepto step.

366 366 122 368 120 369 116 370 116 368 372 116 374 368 118 376 118 374 365 366 369 370 372 376 368 374 122 118 122 120 376 378 Returning to step, in stepUE1generates and sends grant renewal request response, via gNBNAas indicated by circle, to AMF. In stepAMFreceives the grant renewal request response, and in response, in stepthe AMFgenerates and sends grant renewal request response(which is a forwarded copy of message) to gNB1A. In step, gNB1Areceives the grant renewal request responseand recovers the communicated information, e.g., a positive response indicating that the granted spectrum is being renewed. Block, which includes steps,,,,and communicated signals/messages,, shows an exemplary communication path of a grant renewal request response from UE 1to the first base station, which is gNB1A, for a scenario in which paging was required, e.g., UE 1, which was initially inactive at the second base station gNBNA, was paged and transitioned into an active state so that it could be used as part of providing an alternative communication path to the SAS. Operation proceeds from stepto step.

378 118 380 118 In step, gNB1A, e.g., in response to receiving a positive response in the grant renewal request response, renews transmit expiration time, and in stepgNB1Acontinues to use spectrum in the area in accordance with the renewed grant.

382 382 122 384 108 136 385 386 108 384 388 108 390 384 102 392 102 390 381 382 385 388 392 384 390 122 102 118 122 136 123 122 2 FIG.E Returning to stepof, in stepUE1generates and sends grant renewal requestto CM servervia gNB1B, as indicated by circle. In stepthe CM serverreceives the grant renewal request message, and in response, in step, the CM servergenerates and sends grant renewal request message(which is forwarded copy of grant renewal request message) to SAS. In step, SASreceives and processes the grant renewal request. Block, which includes steps,,,and communicated signals/messages,, shows the communication path of a grant renewal request from UE 1to SASon behalf of a first base station, which is gNB1A. In this example, UE1routes the grant renewal request through a third base station, which is gNB1B, e.g., based on the path selection of CM applicationin UE.

394 102 396 108 396 398 108 396 400 108 402 396 122 123 136 403 404 122 402 393 394 398 400 403 404 396 402 102 122 118 136 In step, the SASgenerates and sends a grant renewal request responseto the CM server. The grant renewal request response messageis sometimes referred to as a heartbeat message. In stepthe CM serverreceives the grant renewal request response. In stepthe connection manager servergenerates and sends grant renewal request response(which is a forwarded copy of grant renewal request response) to UE1including CMvia gNB1B, as indicated by circle. In stepUE1receives the grant renewal request response. Block, which includes steps,,,,and communicated signals/messages,, shows the communication path of a grant renewal request response from SASto UE1on behalf of a first base station, which is gNB1A. In this example, the grant renewal request response is routed through a third base station, which is gNB1B.

402 320 118 404 406 402 290 116 404 418 If the received grant renewal request response, is in response to grant renewal request(no paging scenario—request originally sourced from gNB1A) then operation proceeds from stepto step. If the received grant renewal request response, is in response to grant renewal request(paging scenario—request originally sourced from AMF), then operation proceeds from stepto step.

406 406 122 408 120 410 120 408 412 120 414 408 118 416 118 414 405 406 410 412 416 408 414 122 118 122 122 120 416 430 Returning to step, in stepUE1generates and sends grant renewal request responseto gNBNA. In stepgNBNAreceives the grant renewal request response. In stepgNBNAgenerates and sends grant renewal request response, which is a forwarded copy of message, to gNB1Aover XN. In step, gNB1Areceives the grant renewal request responseand recovers the communicated information, e.g., a positive response indicating that the granted spectrum is being renewed. Block, which includes steps,,,and communicated signals/messages,, shows the communication path of a grant renewal request response from UE 1to the first base station, which is gNB1A, for a scenario in which paging was not required to identify UE 1, e.g., UE 1was initially an active UE at the second base station gNBNA. Operation proceeds from stepto step.

418 418 122 420 120 421 116 422 116 420 422 116 426 420 118 428 118 426 417 418 421 422 424 428 420 428 122 118 122 120 428 430 Returning to step, in stepUE1generates and sends grant renewal request response, via gNBNAas indicated by circle, to AMF. In stepAMFreceives the grant renewal request response, and in response, in stepthe AMFgenerates and sends grant renewal request response(which is a forwarded copy of message) to gNB1A. In step, gNB1Areceives the grant renewal request responseand recovers the communicated information, e.g., a positive response indicating that the granted spectrum is being renewed. Block, which includes steps,,,,and communicated signals/messages,, shows an exemplary communication path of a grant renewal request response from UE 1to the first base station, which is gNB1A, for a scenario in which paging was required, e.g., UE 1, which was initially inactive at the second base station gNBNA, was paged and transitioned into an active state so that it could be used as part of providing an alternative communication path to the SAS. Operation proceeds from stepto step.

430 118 426 432 118 In step, gNB1A, e.g., in response to the received indication of messagethat the granted spectrum is being renewed, renews transmit expiration time, and in stepgNB1Acontinues to use spectrum in the area in accordance with the renewed grant.

3 FIG. 2 FIG. 370 582 584 586 588 590 is a legend, which is used to identify signaling, messaging, information and steps corresponding to different alternative scenarios with respect to the signaling diagrams of. Solid lines of typeare used to identify signaling, messaging, information and steps relating to all exemplary scenarios. Dashed lines of typeare used to identify signaling, messaging, information and steps relating to an identified active UE scenario—a no paging scenario. Dash/single dot lines of typeare used to identify signaling, messaging, information and steps relating to an inactive UE scenario—a paging scenario. Dash/double dot lines of typeare used to identify signaling, messaging, information and steps relating to UE (with CM)-CM server communication route scenario via MSO (e.g., Charter gNB). Long dash/short dash lines of typeare used to identify signaling, messaging, information and steps relating to UE (with CM)-CM server communication route scenario via MNO (e.g., Verizon gNB).

4 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 600 400 118 is a drawing of an exemplary base station, e.g., a MSO, e.g., Charter, CBRS gNB base station, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary base stationis, e.g., gNB1A base stationofor, which is sometimes referred to as a first base station.

600 602 604 606 608 610 612 600 611 612 Exemplary base stationincludes a processor, e.g., a CPU, wireless interfaces, a network interface, an assembly of hardware components, e.g., an assembly of circuits, and memorycoupled together via busover which the various elements may interchange data and information. In some embodiments, base stationfurther includes a GPS receivercoupled to bus.

604 614 616 614 618 620 618 622 624 600 620 626 628 600 618 620 616 630 632 630 634 636 600 632 638 640 600 630 632 Wireless interfacesincludes one or more wireless interfaces (1st wireless interface, . . . , Nth wireless interface). 1st wireless interfaceincludes wireless receiverand wireless transmitter. Wireless receiveris coupled to one or more receiver antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationreceives wireless uplink signals from UEs. Wireless transmitteris coupled to one or more transmit antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationtransmits wireless downlink signals to UEs. In some embodiments one or more antennas are used by both the receiverand transmitter. Nth wireless interfaceincludes wireless receiverand wireless transmitter. Wireless receiveris coupled to one or more receiver antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationreceives wireless uplink signals from UEs. Wireless transmitteris coupled to one or more transmit antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationtransmits wireless downlink signals to UEs. In some embodiments one or more antennas are used by both the receiverand transmitter. In some embodiments different wireless interfaces correspond to different communications bands, different spectrum, and/or different communications protocols.

606 642 644 646 606 600 Network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, includes receiver, transmitterand connector. Network interfacecouples the base stationto network nodes, e.g., other base stations, core network nodes, and a domain proxy, and/or the Internet.

611 613 613 611 611 600 GPS receiveris coupled to GPS receive antenna. GPS signals, received via GPS receive antenna, are processed by the GPS receiverto determine time, position, e.g. latitude, longitude and altitude, and velocity information. In some embodiment the GPS receiveris used to facilitate a precise placement of the base station, e.g., as part of an installation process.

610 648 650 652 648 602 600 650 602 600 200 118 2 FIG. Memoryincludes a control routine, an assembly of componentsand data/information. Control routineincludes instructions which when executed by processorcontrol the base stationto implement basic operational functions, e.g., read memory, write to memory, control an interface, load a program, subroutine, or app, etc. Assembly of components, e.g., an assembly of software components, e.g., routines, subroutines, applications, etc., includes, e.g., code, e.g., machine executable instructions, which when executed by processor, controls the base stationto implement steps of a method, e.g., steps of the method of signaling diagramofperformed by gNB1A.

652 600 654 656 658 652 660 662 664 662 Data/informationincludes a received grant from a SAS, said grant allocating CBRS spectrum to base stationfor a specified time interval. Received grantincludes informationidentifying granted spectrum and informationidentifying the time for which the grant is valid. Data/informationfurther includes a currently determined time to grant expiration, a predetermined time to grant expiration value, e.g., a predetermined threshold (e.g. 2 minutes), used to trigger generation and sending of an upcoming timer expiration notification message to an AMF, and a generated upcoming timer expiration messageto be sent to an AMF of the MSO. In some embodiments the predetermined time to grant expiration valueis a value in the range of 60-200 seconds.

652 666 120 668 120 120 652 680 102 600 108 122 120 116 199 600 Data/informationmay, and sometimes does, include a received RAN paging message, sent from an AMF, requesting paging of an identified UE, e.g., the last known active UE at another MSO base station, e.g., the last known active UE with CM at gNBNA, a generated RAN paging messageto be sent over an XN connection to another MSO base station, e.g. gNBNA, to request paging of the identified UE, e.g., the last known active UE with CM at gNBNA. Data/informationfurther includes a received grant renewal response, e.g., sourced from the SAS, e.g., SAS, and communicated via an alternative path between the SAS and base station, said alternative path including, e.g., a CM server, a UE, e.g., UE1with CM, located at a second base station (e.g., gNBNA), the second base station, and AMFor XN connection, e.g., XN connection, between the second base station and base station.

652 670 122 120 672 120 672 122 672 670 122 678 120 122 123 600 682 122 Data/informationmay, and sometimes does, include a received messagefrom an AMF indicating a UE, e.g., UE1, is active at a second base station, e.g., gNBNA, a generated active UE confirm request messageto be sent to the second BS, e.g., gNBNA, over XN, said UE confirm request messagerequesting the second base station to confirm that an identified UE, e.g., UE1, indicated in messageis currently active at the second base station, a received active UE confirm response messagereceived over XN from the second base station, e.g., confirming that the UE, e.g., UE1is currently active at the second base station, a generated grant renewal request messageto be sent to the second base station over XN, e.g., to be forwarded via the second base station, e.g. gNBNA, the identified UE, e.g. UEwith CM, and a CM server to SAS, on behalf of base station, and a received grant renewal request responsereceived from the second base station over a XN connection, said grant renewal request response having originated from the SAS and having been communicated via an alternative communication path with the SAS including a UE with CM, e.g., UE1.

5 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 700 700 120 is a drawing of an exemplary base station, e.g., a MSO, e.g., Charter, CBRS gNB base station, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary base stationis, e.g., gNBNA base stationofor, which is sometimes referred to as a second base station.

700 702 704 706 708 710 712 700 711 712 Exemplary base stationincludes a processor, e.g., a CPU, wireless interfaces, a network interface, an assembly of hardware components, e.g., an assembly of circuits, and memorycoupled together via busover which the various elements may interchange data and information. In some embodiments, base stationfurther includes a GPS receivercoupled to bus.

704 714 716 714 718 720 718 722 724 700 720 726 728 700 718 720 716 730 732 730 734 736 700 732 738 740 700 730 732 Wireless interfacesincludes one or more wireless interfaces (1st wireless interface, . . . , Nth wireless interface). 1st wireless interfaceincludes wireless receiverand wireless transmitter. Wireless receiveris coupled to one or more receiver antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationreceives wireless uplink signals from UEs. Wireless transmitteris coupled to one or more transmit antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationtransmits wireless downlink signals to UEs. In some embodiments one or more antennas are used by both the receiverand transmitter. Nth wireless interfaceincludes wireless receiverand wireless transmitter. Wireless receiveris coupled to one or more receiver antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationreceives wireless uplink signals from UEs. Wireless transmitteris coupled to one or more transmit antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationtransmits wireless downlink signals to UEs. In some embodiments one or more antennas are used by both the receiverand transmitter. In some embodiments different wireless interfaces correspond to different communications bands, different spectrum, and/or different communications protocols.

706 742 744 746 706 700 Network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, includes receiver, transmitterand connector. Network interfacecouples the base stationto network nodes, e.g., other base stations, core network nodes, and a domain proxy, and/or the Internet.

711 713 713 711 711 700 GPS receiveris coupled to GPS receive antenna. GPS signals, received via GPS receive antenna, are processed by the GPS receiverto determine time, position, e.g. latitude, longitude and altitude, and velocity information. In some embodiment the GPS receiveris used to facilitate a precise placement of the base station, e.g., as part of an installation process.

710 748 750 752 748 702 700 750 702 700 200 120 2 FIG. Memoryincludes a control routine, an assembly of componentsand data/information. Control routineincludes instructions which when executed by processorcontrol the base stationto implement basic operational functions, e.g., read memory, write to memory, control an interface, load a program, subroutine, or app, etc. Assembly of components, e.g., an assembly of software components, e.g., routines, subroutines, applications, etc., includes, e.g., code, e.g., machine executable instructions, which when executed by processor, controls the base stationto implement steps of a method, e.g., steps of the method of signaling diagramofperformed by gNBNA.

752 754 118 122 700 700 758 700 754 758 760 762 764 Data/informationmay, and sometimes does, include a received RAN paging request messagereceived over XN from a first base station, e.g. gNB1A, requesting paging of an AMF identified UE, e.g., UE, which is a currently an inactive UE at base stationbut which was the most recently active UE with CM at base station, a generated paging messageto be transmitted by base stationto page the UE identified in received message, RRC connection resumption signalingcommunicated with the identified UE to reestablish the RRC connection, retrieved context signalingfrom the AMF corresponding to the UE for which the RRC connection is being reestablished, stored retrieved contextcorresponding the UE, and RRC connection resumption signalingcommunicated with AMF as part of the RRC connection reestablishment.

752 766 118 768 118 770 118 772 770 774 122 776 774 118 Data/informationmay, and sometimes does, include a received active UE confirm request messagefrom a first base station, e.g., gNB1A, communicated over an XN connection, a generated active UE confirm request response messageto be sent over XN to the first base station, e.g. gNB1A, a received grant renewal request messagereceived from the first base station, e.g. gNB1A, over an XN connection, a generated grant renewal request messageto be sent to SAS on behalf of the first base station, e.g. a forwarded copy of message, a received grant renewal request response messagereceived from a UE with CM, e.g., UE, said grant renewal response message communicating the SAS response to the grant renewal request for the first base station, and a generated grant renewal request response message, e.g., a forwarded copy of message, to be communicate to the first base station, e.g. gNB1A, over an XN connection.

6 FIG. 5 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 1 FIG. 1 FIG. 1 FIG. 800 800 122 124 126 190 is a drawing of an exemplary user equipment (UE), e.g., a MSO, e.g., Charter, subscriber Dual Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Dual Standby (DSDS) UE including a connection manager (CM) module, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary UEofis, e.g., UE1ofor, UE2of, UEN−1ofor UENof.

800 802 804 806 808 810 813 814 816 800 809 819 829 831 816 800 809 819 800 809 829 800 829 831 800 Exemplary UEincludes a processor, e.g., a CPU, wireless interfaces, a network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, I/O interface, GPS receiver, inertial measurement unit (IMU), and assembly of hardware components, e.g., an assembly of circuits, coupled together via busover which the various elements may interchange data and information. In various embodiments, UEfurther includes one or more or all of: SIM card 1, SIM card 2, eSIM chip 1and eSIM chip 2coupled to bus. In some embodiments UEincludes 2 SIM cards (,). In some embodiments, UEincludes one SIM card, e.g., SIM card 1and one eSIM chip, e.g. eSIM chip 1. In still other embodiments, UEincludes 2 eSIM chips (eSIM chip 1, eSIM chip 2). In some embodiments UEincludes one SIM card, e.g., corresponding to a MSO, and one eSIM chip, e.g. with a loaded profile corresponding to a MNO.

804 822 836 822 824 826 824 828 830 800 826 832 834 800 824 826 836 838 840 838 842 844 800 840 846 848 800 838 840 Wireless interfacesincludes a plurality of wireless interfaces (1st wireless interface, . . . , Nth wireless interface). 1st wireless interfaceincludes wireless receiverand wireless transmitter. Wireless receiveris coupled to one or more receiver antennas (, . . . ,) via which the UEreceives wireless downlink signals from base stations. Wireless transmitteris coupled to one or more transmit antennas (, . . . ,) via which the UEtransmits wireless uplink signals to base stations. In some embodiments one or more antennas are used by both the receiverand transmitter. Nth wireless interfaceincludes wireless receiverand wireless transmitter. Wireless receiveris coupled to one or more receive antennas (, . . . ,) via which the UEreceives wireless downlink signals from base stations. Wireless transmitteris coupled to one or more transmit antennas (, . . . ,) via which the UEtransmits wireless uplink signals to base stations. In some embodiments one or more antennas are used by both the receiverand transmitter. In some embodiments different wireless interfaces correspond to different communications bands, different spectrum, and/or different communications protocols.

806 818 820 821 806 800 800 Network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, includes receiver, transmitterand connector. Network interfacemay, and sometimes does, couple UEto base stations, network nodes and/or the Internet, e.g., when the UEis stationary and located at a site with a wireline and/or optical connection.

810 811 810 813 511 510 800 813 800 GPS receiveris coupled to GPS antenna. GPS receiveris further coupled to IMU, e.g., an IMU on a chip including gyroscopes and accelerometers. GPS signals, received via GPS receive antenna, are processed by the GPS receiverto determine time, position, e.g. latitude, longitude and altitude, and velocity information of UE. In some embodiments, information from IMU, e.g., accelerometer and/or gyroscopes measurements over time, are used, in conjunction with or in place of GPS measurements to determine position, e.g. latitude, longitude and altitude, and velocity information of UE.

809 800 819 829 831 869 876 878 829 831 SIM card 1includes information corresponding to a first communications network operator, e.g. a MSO, e.g., Charter, to which the owner of UEis a subscriber. SIM card 2includes information corresponding to a second communications network operator, e.g. a MNO, e.g., Verizon, which is a partner of the first communications network operator. Each eSIM chip (,) can be, and sometimes is loaded with eSIM module softwareand a eSIM profile, e.g. profile 1, e.g., a MSO profile, or profile 2, e.g., a MNO profile. For example, eSIM chip 1may be loaded with profile 1, e.g., a MSO profile, and eSIM chip 2may be loaded with profile 2, e.g., a MNO profile.

800 850 852 854 856 858 860 862 808 800 816 UEfurther includes a plurality of I/O devices (camera, display, e.g., a touch screen display, switches, microphone, speaker, keypadand mouse) coupled to I/O interface, which couples the various I/O devices to other elements of the UEvia bus.

812 864 868 870 869 872 864 802 800 870 108 870 800 800 870 869 868 802 800 200 122 2 FIG. Memoryincludes a control routine, an assembly of components, e.g., an assembly of software components, a connection manager (CM) module, eSIM module(s) software, e.g. to be loaded into e-SIM chip(s), and data/information. Control routineincludes instructions which when executed by processorcontrol the UEto implement basic operational functions, e.g., read memory, write to memory, control an interface, load a program, subroutine, or app, etc. Connection manager moduleinterfaces with a CM server, e.g., CM server. CM modulemakes decisions and/or controls a connection between UEand a MSO base station and a connection between UEand a MNO base station. CM modulesupports DSDS functionality operations. eSIM module(s) software, when loaded into an eSIM chip, controls the eSIM chip to perform operations including loading different eSIM profiles at different times and controlling the eSIM chip to function as a SIM card. Assembly of components, e.g., an assembly of software components, e.g., routines, subroutines, applications, etc., includes, e.g., code, e.g., machine executable instructions, which when executed by processor, controls the UEto implement steps of a method, e.g., steps of the method of signaling diagramofperformed by UE1.

872 874 876 878 872 880 872 882 800 884 872 886 116 118 800 120 800 118 800 120 800 572 888 890 872 892 892 886 894 896 120 116 118 Data/informationincludes eSIM profiles(s)including prolife 1, e.g., a MSO profile, and profile 2, e.g., a MNO profile. Data/informationfurther includes current UE mode information, e.g., indicating active mode, inactive mode, RRC connected mode, etc. Data/informationmay, and sometimes does includes a received paging messagepaging UE, and RRC connection resumption signals. Data/informationfurther includes a received grant renewal requestcorresponding to a first MSO base station, e.g., originally sourced from a MSO AMF, e.g., AMFon behalf of a first MSO base station, e.g., MSO gNB1A, which was communicated to UEvia a second MSO base station, e.g., MSO gNBNA, to which the UEis attached or alternatively originally sourced from a first MSO base station, e.g., MSO gNB1A, which was communicated to UEvia a second MSO base station, e.g., MSO gNBNA, to which the UEis attached. Data/informationmay, and sometimes does include informationindicating a UE CM decision to send the grant renewal request to the CM server via a MSO base station, said grant renewal request to be communicated from the CM server to the SAS or informationindicating a UE CM decision to send the grant renewal request to the CM server via a MNO base station, said grant renewal request to be communicated from the CM server to the SAS. Data/informationfurther includes a generated grant renewal requestto be sent to the CM server for delivery to the SAS, said grant renewal requestbeing a forwarded copy of the received grant renewal request, a received grant renewal request responsefrom the CM server, indicating the SAS decision with regard to the grant renewal request, and a generated forwarded copyof the received grant renewal request response from the CM server to be sent to the second MSO base station, e.g., gNBNA, or AMF, e.g., AMF, for intended delivery to the first MSO base station, e.g., gNB1A.

7 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 900 900 108 900 902 904 910 912 914 is a drawing of an exemplary connection manager (CM) serverin accordance with an exemplary embodiment. CM serveris, e.g., CM serverofor. CM serverincludes a processor, e.g., a CPU, a network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, memory, and an assembly of hardware components, e.g., an assembly of circuits, coupled together via a busover which the various elements may interchange data and information.

904 906 908 909 904 900 102 904 900 123 122 110 120 904 900 123 122 128 136 Network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, includes receiver, transmitterand connector. Network interfacecouples CM serverto SAS. Network interfacefurther couples the CM serverto a CM module in a UE, e.g., CM modulein UE1, via the Internet, a MSO core network, e.g., MSO core network, and a MSO base station, e.g. gNBNA. Network interfacefurther couples the CM serverto a CM module in a UE, e.g., CM modulein UE1, via the Internet, a MNO core network, e.g., MNO core network, and a MNO base station, e.g. gNB1B.

910 916 918 920 916 902 900 918 902 900 200 108 920 922 122 118 924 118 926 118 928 118 122 2 FIG. Memoryincludes a control routine, an assembly of componentsand data/information. Control routineincludes instructions which when executed by processorcontrol the CM serverto implement basic operational functions, e.g., read memory, write to memory, control an interface, load a program, subroutine, or app, etc. Assembly of components, e.g., an assembly of software components, e.g., routines, subroutines, applications, etc., includes, e.g., code, e.g., machine executable instructions, which when executed by processor, controls the CM serverto implement steps of a method, e.g., steps of the method of signaling diagramofperformed by CM server. Data/informationincludes a received grant renewal requestfrom a UE, e.g., UE, sent on behalf of a MSO base station, e.g., gNB1A, a generated grant renewal request(for a MSO base station, e.g., gNB1A) to be sent to the SAS, e.g., via the Internet, a received grant renewal request response(for a MSO base station, e.g., gNB1A) from the SAS, and a generated grant renewal request response(for the MSO base station, e.g., gNB1A) to be sent to the UE, e.g. UE.

8 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 1000 10000 116 is a drawing of an exemplary core network node, e.g., a MSO access and mobility management function (AMF) device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Core network nodeis, e.g., a device implementing AMFofor.

1000 1002 1004 1010 1012 1014 Core network nodeincludes a processor, e.g., a CPU, a network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, memory, and an assembly of hardware components, e.g., an assembly of circuits, coupled together via a busover which the various elements may interchange data and information.

1004 1006 1008 1009 1004 1000 Network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, includes receiver, transmitterand connector. Network interfacecouples core network nodeto other core network nodes, to base stations, to an OSS, and to the Internet.

1010 1016 1018 1020 1016 1002 1000 1018 1002 1000 200 116 1000 2 FIG. Memoryincludes a control routine, an assembly of componentsand data/information. Control routineincludes instructions which when executed by processorcontrol the core network nodeto implement basic operational functions, e.g., read memory, write to memory, control an interface, load a program, subroutine, or app, etc. Assembly of components, e.g., an assembly of software components, e.g., routines, subroutines, applications, etc., includes, e.g., code, e.g., machine executable instructions, which when executed by processor, controls the core network nodeto implement steps of a method, e.g., steps of the method of signaling diagramofperformed by AMF. In some embodiment core network nodeimplements a plurality of core network functions, e.g., AMF, SMF and UPF.

1020 1022 118 1020 1024 1026 1027 122 1020 1028 120 1030 122 120 1032 118 120 1034 1020 1036 122 120 118 1038 1036 1040 1038 1040 118 1022 Data/informationincludes a received upcoming timer expiration notification messagefrom a first MSO base station, e.g., gNB1A. In some embodiments, data/informationmay, and sometimes does, includes a determinationthat there is at least one active UE with CM at a second MSO base station, e.g., gNBNA, informationindicating the selected active UE with CM at the second MSO base station to be used for sending a grant renewal request, on behalf of the first MNO base station, to the CM server for delivery to the SAS, and a generated messageto be sent to the second MSO base station indicating the selected active UE, e.g., UE, at the second MSO base station to be used to send a grant renewal request on behalf of the first MSO base station to a CM server for delivery to SAS. In some embodiments, data/informationmay, and sometimes does, includes a determinationthat there are no active UEs with CM at a second MSO base station, e.g., gNBNA, informationindicating the last known active UE with CM, e.g., UE, at the second MSO base station, e.g., gNBNA, a generated RAN paging request messageto be sent to one or more MSO base station(s), e.g., gNB1Aand gNBNA, requesting paging of the last known active UE at the second MSO base station, and RRC connection resumption signals. Data/informationfurther includes a generated grant renewal requestto be sent to a UE, e.g., UE, via the second base station, e.g., via gNBNA, on behalf of the first MSO base station, e.g., gNBNA, for communication to SAS via CM server, a received grant renewal request responsefrom the UE conveying the SAS response to the request, and a generated grant renewal request response, which conveys a forwarded copy of the received SAS response, said generated grant renewal request responseto be sent to the first MSO base station, e.g., gNB1A, which originally sent the upcoming timer expiration notification messageto the AMF.

11 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 1100 1100 102 is a drawing of an exemplary spectrum access system (SAS)in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. SASis, e.g., SASofor.

1100 1102 1104 1110 1112 1114 SASincludes a processor, e.g., a CPU, a network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, memory, and an assembly of hardware components, e.g., an assembly of circuits, coupled together via a busover which the various elements may interchange data and information.

1104 1106 1108 1109 1104 1100 104 108 Network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, includes receiver, transmitterand connector. Network interfacecouples SASto a domain proxy, e.g., domain proxyand to a CM server, e.g., CM server, and/or to the Internet.

1110 1116 1118 1120 1116 1102 1100 1118 1102 1100 200 102 1120 1122 1124 1122 1124 2 FIG. Memoryincludes a control routine, an assembly of componentsand data/information. Control routineincludes instructions which when executed by processorcontrol the SASto implement basic operational functions, e.g., read memory, write to memory, control an interface, load a program, subroutine, or app, etc. Assembly of components, e.g., an assembly of software components, e.g., routines, subroutines, applications, etc., includes, e.g., code, e.g., machine executable instructions, which when executed by processor, controls the SASto implement steps of a method, e.g., steps of the method of signaling diagramofperformed by SAS. Data/informationincludes a received grant renewal requestfrom a CM server, which was sent on behalf of a first MSO base station, which is experiencing communications problems with the SAS when using its normal communications path with the SAS, and a generated grant renewal request response, e.g., indicating that the grant is to be renewed, to be sent to the CM server in response to request, said generated grant renewal request responseintended to be delivered to the first MSO base station, which generated and sent an upcoming timer expiration notification message to the MSO AMF.

12 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 1200 1200 136 is a drawing of an exemplary base station, e.g., a MNO, e.g. Verizon, macro cell gNB base station, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary base stationis, e.g., gNB1B base stationofor, which is sometimes referred to as a third base station.

1200 1202 1204 1206 1208 1210 1212 1200 1211 1212 Exemplary base stationincludes a processor, e.g., a CPU, wireless interfaces, a network interface, an assembly of hardware components, e.g., an assembly of circuits, and memorycoupled together via busover which the various elements may interchange data and information. In some embodiments, base stationfurther includes a GPS receivercoupled to bus.

1204 1214 1216 1214 1218 1220 1218 1222 1224 1200 1220 1226 1228 1200 1218 1220 1216 1230 1232 1230 1234 1236 1200 1232 1238 1240 1200 1230 1232 Wireless interfacesincludes one or more wireless interfaces (1st wireless interface, . . . , Nth wireless interface). 1st wireless interfaceincludes wireless receiverand wireless transmitter. Wireless receiveris coupled to one or more receiver antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationreceives wireless uplink signals from UEs. Wireless transmitteris coupled to one or more transmit antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationtransmits wireless downlink signals to UEs. In some embodiments one or more antennas are used by both the receiverand transmitter. Nth wireless interfaceincludes wireless receiverand wireless transmitter. Wireless receiveris coupled to one or more receive antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationreceives wireless uplink signals from UEs. Wireless transmitteris coupled to one or more transmit antennas (, . . . ,) via which the base stationtransmits wireless downlink signals to UEs. In some embodiments one or more antennas are used by both the receiverand transmitter. In some embodiments different wireless interfaces correspond to different communications bands, different spectrum, and/or different communications protocols.

1206 1242 1244 1246 1206 1200 Network interface, e.g., a wired or optical interface, includes receiver, transmitterand connector. Network interfacecouples the base stationto network nodes, e.g., other base stations, core network nodes, and a domain proxy, and/or the Internet.

1211 1213 1213 1211 1211 1200 GPS receiveris coupled to GPS receive antenna. GPS signals, received via GPS receive antenna, are processed by the GPS receiverto determine time, position, e.g. latitude, longitude and altitude, and velocity information. In some embodiment the GPS receiveris used to facilitate a precise placement of the base station, e.g., as part of an installation process.

1210 1248 1250 1252 1248 1202 1200 1250 1202 1200 200 136 2 FIG. Memoryincludes a control routine, an assembly of componentsand data/information. Control routineincludes instructions which when executed by processorcontrol the base stationto implement basic operational functions, e.g., read memory, write to memory, control an interface, load a program, subroutine, or app, etc. Assembly of components, e.g., an assembly of software components, e.g., routines, subroutines, applications, etc., includes, e.g., code, e.g., machine executable instructions, which when executed by processor, controls the base stationto implement steps of a method, e.g., steps of the method of signaling diagramofperformed by gNB1B.

1252 1254 122 123 119 1256 1258 1260 118 Data/informationincludes received wireless signalsfrom a UE with CM, e.g., UEwith CM, conveying a grant renewal request on behalf of a first MNO base station, e.g. gNB1A, to be delivered to a CM server, said grant renewal request intended to be sent from the CM server to a SAS, a generated messageconveying the received grant renewal request, said generated message to be sent to the CM server for forwarding to the SAS, a received grant renewal request responsefrom CM server conveying the SAS response, and generated wireless signalsconveying the received grant renewal request response, said generated wireless signals to be sent to the UE, said grant renewal request response corresponding to a MSO base station, e.g., a first MSO base station, e.g., gNB1A, and being sourced from a SAS.

Various aspects and/or features of the present invention are described below. SAS delivers heartbeat to the nodes, e.g., MSO CBRS gNB base stations, to allow them to continue transmission. If the heartbeat is absent, the cell (gNB CBRS base station) will stop transmitting because the transmit expiration timer will not get updated. This will cause the gNB to stop transmitting and to go out of service.

It is quite possible that sometimes, due to network issues, SAS related issues or a domain proxy/OSS related issue, the heartbeat is not delivered to the radio of a gNB, although gNB operation is permitted from the SAS perspective. Thus, despite having a valid grant, the gNB may, at times, be unable to renew its transmit expiry time and go out of service, i.e. the gNB will stop transmitting.

One way to circumvent the situation is the use of a UE to renew the grant. However, it is possible that the gNB, does not have an active UE in the system and therefore is unable to use its available air link resources to send a grant renewal request to the SAS via an alternative path including a UE, which is wirelessly connected to the gNB. However, it is possible that another cell, e.g., a second base station (second MSO BS), in the vicinity of the cell, e.g. first base station (first MSO base station) which needs to have its grant renewed, has active users, e.g., one or more active UEs are at the second MSO base station, which can be used to help to renew the grant for the first MSO base station.

In accordance with the present invention, methods and apparatus are implemented to provide an alternative means to establish a communications path to SAS to continue the heartbeat reception. In various embodiments, the alternative path includes an active UE at another base station, e.g., the second base station, and messaging communicated over Xn interfaces/connections between the first and second base stations. In some embodiments, an AMF, being used by both the first and second base stations, identifies a currently active UE at the second base station to be used for conveying the grant renewal on behalf of the first base station to the SAS. In some embodiments, an AMF, being used by both the first and second base stations, identifies a most recently active but currently inactive UE at the second base station to be transitioned to an active mode and then used for conveying the grant renewal on behalf of the first base station to the SAS.

In some embodiments, in accordance with the present invention, when a first base station, e.g., a first MSO CBRS gNB base station, stops getting a heartbeat, the first base station will reach out, e.g., via a MSO AMF, to find a UE, e.g., a DSDS UE with CM, that is within reasonable distance, to get help. In situations where UEs are not available at the first base station, e.g. no active UEs and/or no inactive UEs at the first base station, the AMF will identify a candidate UE at the second base station which can be used to communicate the grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station. The selected or identified UE with CM, at the second base station, will reach out, e.g., via the MSO network, a MNO network or a MVNO network, e.g., depending upon the CM alternative path selection, to communicate with SAS and get heartbeat confirmation via an alternative communications path, e.g., a communications path that does not include the domain proxy. In this way, the first base station, e.g. first MSO gNB CBRS base station, can continue to transmit provided its grant has been renewed.

In this exemplary case, described above, it is assumed that the first base station, e.g. first MSO gNB CBRS base station, e.g., a CBSD, is unable to renew the grant via the traditional communications path between the first base station and SAS, which includes a domain proxy, or the first base station is assumed to have expired its timer and unable to communicate with the UEs. In some embodiments, the core, e.g., MSO core AMF, will identify and/or select a UE, e.g., a DSDS UE with CM, at a second base station (e.g., a nearby base station using the same AMF as the first base station), e.g., an active UE with CM at the second base station, and send a message, e.g., grant renewal request message to the identified or selected UE with to be delivered to the SAS via the alternative path. Subsequently, a response message, e.g., a grant renewal request response message, e.g., indicating that the SAS spectrum grant has been renewed for the first base station, will be received by the second base station, said response being sourced from the SAS and being communicated via the alternative communications path including the UE with CM at the second base station, and the response is forwarded from the second base station to the first base station, e.g., first MSO gNB CBRS base station, which is experiencing communications problems along its traditional communications path with the SAS. Thus, the first base station, e.g., first MSO gNB CBRS base station, can continue transmitting using the SAS allocated spectrum and continue servicing UEs, when UEs are within its coverage area.

Various described methods and apparatus are directed to providing an alternative mechanism to renew a spectrum grant, e.g., a CBRS spectrum grant, to a first base station, when a problem occurs along the traditional communications path between the SAS and first base station, and when there is no active user on the expiring grant cell, e.g., a first MSO base station. The alternative mechanism identifies a potential UE at a second cell, e.g., second MSO base station, and uses the identified UE at the second base station to communicate a grant renewal request to the SAS on behalf of the first base station, and to receive a grant renewal request response from the SAS. The second base station interacts with the first base station using Xn interfaces/connections to communicate the grant renewal request and/or grant renewal request response. In this way, the second base station and a UE at the second base station are used to assist the first base station in obtaining the grant renewal request response from the SAS via an alternative path when its traditional communication path between the first base station and SAS is experiencing a problem.

1 FIG. 118 104 168 104 102 166 168 166 118 102 118 118 127 119 118 Referring to, the interface between gNB1Aand domain proxy(corresponding to connection) or between domain proxyand SAS(corresponding to connection) or both (corresponding to connectionsand) may go down and be down. This will result in MSO gNB1Anot getting the heartbeat sourced from the SAS. However, it is very much a possibility that the rest of MSO core interfaces are intact, e.g. the radio of MSO gNB1Acould continue to function as normal and provide wireless services to UEs. In this example, there are no active UEs at gNB1A, e.g., UEN−1is currently powered down and there are no other UEs, e.g., no active UEs or no powered on UEs, within the coverage areawhich can assist gNB1Ain communicating with SAS via an alternative path.

120 102 118 122 120 120 199 118 120 In some embodiments, if there is an active UE with CM, an active DSDS UE with CM, present within the footprint of gNBNA, the methods and apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, provide an alternative route between the SASand gNB1A, e.g., using the active UE, e.g. UEat gNBNA, gNBNA, and messages communicated via Xn interfaces/connectionbetween the base stations (,).

118 116 110 108 106 The gNB1Awill detect that there is a lack of grant while the grant expiry time is about to expire and notify the core/OSS, e.g., notify the AMFof MSO core. Note that different implementations are possible. Assume that the connection manager (CM) serverwill be subscribed to OSSfor SAS connectivity failure, i.e., only SAS connectivity failure alarm with their codes are forwarded to connection manager.

116 122 120 118 120 The AMFwill identify an active UE, e.g., UEat gNBNAwhich can be used to assist and sends a message to gNB1A indicating the selected UE and base station at which it is active, which may be used for assistance. gNB1Awill confirm, with gNBNA, via Xn interface messages, that the AMF selected UE is still active.

118 120 122 102 118 Following positive confirmation, the gNB1A base station, will send out a message, e.g., a grant renewal request message via Xn interface to gNBNA, requesting that the identified UE, e.g. UE, be used to communicate the grant renewal request to SAS, said grant renewal request including information, e.g., information identifying the base station gNB1Ato which the grant renewal request corresponds and information identifying the SAS spectrum grant to the base station.

118 123 122 108 102 118 122 120 120 118 The gNB1Agrant renewal request information will be sent over the MSO network or the MSO network, e.g. depending upon the CM applicationin UEselection, to a network entity., e.g., CM server, which will translate this information to a SAS friendly format and communicate with SASto confirm whether or not to renew the grant. This information, e.g., the SAS grant request response indicating whether or not the SAS has renewed the grant, will be conveyed back to gNB1A, via a path including UE, gNBNA, an Xn connection between gNBNAand gNB1A.

118 118 In the case where the grant is suspended or not renewed the radio in gNB1Awill be operated not to transmit; otherwise, the radio in gNBB1Awill continue to transmit with the new heartbeat message.

CBRS radios need continuous heartbeat to continue to operate. This heartbeat is received from SAS or Domain Proxy that works on behalf of SAS. A base station, e.g., a gNB CBRS base station, can lose its connectivity with SAS or domain proxy and hence may not be able to renew its grant. However, it is possible that the base station, gNB CBRS base station, does not have an active UE in the system and therefore is unable to use a UE to renew its grant.

In some embodiments, in accordance with the present invention, methods and apparatus implement and use a method which makes use of a radio access network (RAN) paging concept and approach to reach a UE in inactive state to convey the grant related information, e.g., a grant renewal request message, to SAS to confirm availability of the SAS grant, e.g., in a DSDS environment.

1 FIG. 118 126 119 121 120 122 116 122 123 120 120 122 116 118 120 122 122 122 122 116 122 102 116 102 122 116 118 In this exemplary scenario, e.g., corresponding to the network architecture of, the cell, e.g. MSO gNB1Abase station, with an expiring grant has no powered on UEs within its footprint, e.g., UEN−1is powered down and there are currently no other UEs in its coverage area. However, in this scenario consider that there are one or more inactive UEs within coverage areacorresponding to gNBNA, and UE1is the most recently active UE with CM. An exemplary step in this exemplary method of the present invention includes finding at least one inactive ULE that can help with the renewal of the grant. For example, the MSO AMFidentifies the last active UE, e.g., UEwith CM, within the coverage area of base stationand sends a message, e.g., RAN paging message, to trigger the base stationto page the identified UE. In some embodiments, the RAN paging message is sent from the AMFto gNB1A, and then forwarded over an Xn connection to gNBNA, which transmits a paging signal to page UE. Then, assuming the UEresponds to the page, operations are performed to cause RRC re-connection of the UEand transition the ULEto an RRC connected state. Then, the AMFsends a message, e.g., a grant renewal request message, to the UEfor delivery to the SASby an alternative path, e.g., an alternative path which does not include the domain proxy. The AMFsubsequently receives a request response message, e.g. a grant renewal request response message, sourced from the SAScommunicated via the alternative path including the UE, and the AMFforwards received SAS grant renewal request response, e.g., indicating whether or not the grant is renewed, to the base station gNB1A.

118 118 In the case where the grant is suspended or not renewed the radio in gNB1Awill be operated not to transmit; otherwise, in the case where the received message indicates that the grant is renewed the radio in gNBB1Awill continue to transmit with the new heartbeat message. The cells, e.g., MSO base stations, are connected to each other via Xn interface, i.e., the base stations can talk to each other over that interface. This allows the cells, e.g. MSO base stations, to communicate and exchange messages to effectively carry out wireless functions.

118 118 118 120 When a cell, e.g. a first MSO base station such as gNB1A, has a transmit expiry timer getting close to expiration, e.g., 60-200 seconds left and the grant has not been renewed, in some embodiments, the radio, e.g., radio of gNB1A, will trigger a response, i.e. it will look for an active session, i.e., an active UE, to see if it could be used for data exchange with SAS. In some embodiments, the c plane function of the Xn interface will be used for this purpose, in which the data message sent by the gNB, e.g., gNB1A, requesting status on its grant will be forwarded over Xn to another gNB, e.g. gNBNA, which has active users. Message transfer capability of c plane function will carry the message.

120 122 122 120 118 In some embodiments, a gNB, e.g. gNBNA, with active users, will reach out to one of its active DSDS users, e.g., UE, and, over the Internet, the active UE, e.g., UE, will get the status over the Internet and the gNB, e.g., gNBNA, will forward the status (grant) to the gNB, e.g. gNB1A, with the expiring grant over Xn interface.

Numbered List of Exemplary Method Embodiments:

234 118 118 102 118 102 102 118 102 104 118 102 104 118 236 118 238 116 241 116 120 120 116 118 118 102 108 Method Embodiment 1. A method comprising: detecting (), at a first base station (MSO gNB1A), reaching a predetermined time to Spectrum Access System (SAS) resource grant expiration (e.g., within 2 minutes of the time that the resource grant will expire (e.g., due to a failure of the first base station () to receive a heartbeat message required to maintain an existing resource grant or failure of the SAS () to receive a resource grant renewal request required due to the upcoming expiration of an existing resource grant or failure of the first base station () to receive a resource grant renewal request response from the SAS ()) (e.g., due to a failure of the implemented communications path between the SAS () and the first base station (), said implemented communications path including interfaces of the SAS (), domain proxy (), and first base station () and links between the elements (,,)); sending (), from the first base station (), in response to reaching the predetermined time to grant expiration, an upcoming timer expiration message () to an AMF (MSO AMF); and operating () the AMF () to identify a UE at a second base station (gNBNA) (where the second base station () has communications connectivity to the AMF () that also provides service to the first base station (gNB1A) for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station (gNB1A) to the SAS () (e.g., via a server, e.g. connection manager server ()).

116 102 Method Embodiment 1A. The method of Method Embodiment 1, wherein identifying a UE at a second base station includes identifying a UE which has a connection manager application for controlling communication with a connection manager server () which has communications connectivity to the SAS ().

Method Embodiment 1B. The method of Method Embodiment 1A, wherein the identified UE is a dual subscriber identity module (SIM) UE.

241 116 120 116 250 122 120 Method Embodiment 2. The method of Method Embodiment 1, wherein operating () the AMF () to identify a UE at a second base station (gNBNA) for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station includes: operating the AMF () to select () a UE (e.g., UE1) which is currently active at the second base station (e.g., gNBNA).

241 116 120 118 116 250 122 120 108 Method Embodiment 3. The method of Method Embodiment 1, wherein operating () the AMF () to identify a UE at a second base station (gNBNA) for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station (gNB1A) includes: operating the AMF () to select () a UE (UE1) which is currently active at the second base station (gNBNA) (and has a connection manager which can connect to the connection manager server ()).

116 294 118 122 120 102 102 122 296 118 Method Embodiment 3A. The method of Method Embodiment 3, further comprising: operating the AMFto indicate () to the first base station () the selected active UE () at the second base station () which is to be used for communicating the grant renewal request to the SAS () (e.g., SAS () indicates the selected active UE () by communicating a UE identifier and also indicates the second base station, e.g., using an identifier of the second base station, in message () which is communicated to the first base station ()).

118 312 118 122 123 122 Method Embodiment 3B The method of Method Embodiment 3A, further comprising: operating the first base station () to communicate () a grant renewal request to the second base station via an Xn interface, said grant renewal request seeking renewal by the first base station () of SAS granted resources (said grant renewal request message being directed to the first UE () for processing by the connection manager application () within the first UE ()).

102 340 392 122 118 116 116 120 136 102 342 394 122 344 396 116 120 136 122 108 102 Method Embodiment 3C. The method of Method Embodiment 3B, further comprising: operating SAS () to receive (or) a grant renewal request communicated from the first UE () on behalf of the first base station () (e.g., via the connection manager serverand a connection between the UE and connection manager server (), said connection to the connection manager server being either via the second base station () or a third base station ()); and operating the SAS () to communicate (or) a grant renewal request response to the first UE(e.g., by sending a grant renewal request response (or) via connection manager server () and the base station (or) used as part of the communications path between the UE () and connection manager server () used to communicate with the SAS ()).

122 354 406 118 122 356 406 120 362 414 118 120 118 Method Embodiment 3D. The method of Method Embodiment 3C, further comprising: operating the first UE () to communicate (or) the grant renewal request response to the first base station () (e.g. first UE () sends grant renewal request response message (or) to second base station () for forwarding (as messageor) to the first base station () via an Xn interface and corresponding Xn connection between the second base station () and first base station ()).

122 123 122 330 382 102 108 120 136 122 324 Method Embodiment 3E. The method of Method Embodiment 3B, further comprising: operating the first UE () (e.g., under control of the connection manager application () in the first UE ()) to send (or) the grant renewal request to the SAS () (e.g., via the connection manager server () and either the second base station () or a third base station () depending on which available connection the UE () selects (e.g., in step) to use in communicating the grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station).

241 116 120 118 116 252 122 116 116 Method Embodiment 4. The method of Method Embodiment 1, wherein operating () the AMF () to identify a UE at a second base station (gNBNA) for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station () includes: operating the AMF () to select () an inactive UE (UE 1) which is a last known active UE with a connection manager that was connected to a base station associated with the AMF () (and thus has communications connectivity to the first AMF ()), said selected UE being a first UE.

116 258 259 122 116 122 122 102 118 Method Embodiment 5. The method of Method Embodiment 4, further comprising: operating the AMF () to send () a (Radio Access Network) RAN paging request message () to initiate paging of the first UE () (e.g., the AMF () triggers paging of the first UE () so that the first UE () will transition into an active state in which it can be used for communicating the grant renewal request to the SAS () on behalf of the first base station ()).

118 118 261 120 Method Embodiment 5A. The method of Method Embodiment 5, wherein the RAN paging request message is sent to the first base station (gNB1A)), the method further comprising: operating the first base station () to communicate () the RAN paging request message to the second base station () via an Xn interface.

271 120 122 274 122 Method Embodiment 5B. The method of Method Embodiment 5A, further comprising: operating () the second base station () to reestablish a radio connection with the first UE () (e.g., communicate () one or more RRC connection resume signals to the first UE () as part of a connection re-establishment procedure).

288 116 122 118 116 118 120 122 102 118 108 123 122 108 120 136 123 122 108 Method Embodiment 6. The method of Method Embodiment 4, further comprising: operating () the AMFto communicate a grant renewal request to the first UE () on behalf of the first base station ()) (e.g. the AMFsends a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station () to the second base station () for delivery to the first UE () which is to then communicate it to the SAS () on behalf over the first base station () via the connection manager server () with the connection manager application () on the first UE () handling the communication to the connection manager server () via an available communications link which can be through either the second base station () or a partner network base station (gNB1B) through which the connection manager application () on the UE () can connect to the connection manager server ()).

122 330 382 118 102 Method Embodiment 6AA. The method of Method Embodiment 6, further comprising: operating the first UE () to communicate (or) the grant renewal request corresponding to the first base station () to the SAS ().

122 330 382 118 102 330 120 Method Embodiment 6AA1. The method of Method Embodiment 6AA, wherein operating the UE operating the first UE () to communicate (or) the grant renewal request corresponding to the first base station () to the SAS () includes sending () the grant renewal request through the second base station ().

122 330 382 118 102 382 136 Method Embodiment 6AA2. The method of Method Embodiment 6AA, wherein operating the UE operating the first UE () to communicate (or) the grant renewal request corresponding to the first base station () to the SAS () includes sending () the grant renewal request through a third base station (MNO gNB1B).

123 122 108 102 Method Embodiment 6AB. The method of Method Embodiment 6AA, wherein a connection manager application () on the first UE () sends the grant renewal request to a connection manager server () for forwarding to the SAS ().

118 Method Embodiment 6AC. The method of Method Embodiment 6, wherein said first base station () is a Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) base station.

136 118 120 Method Embodiment 6AD The method of Method Embodiment 6AA2, wherein the third base station () is a base station of a second network (e.g., partner MNO network which the UE has connectivity to) which is different from a first network (e.g., MSO network operator's own network) in which the first base station () and second base station () are located.

118 120 116 116 Method Embodiment 6AF. The method of Method Embodiment 6, wherein the first and second base stations (,) are base stations of a first multi-system operator network (MSO) and wherein the first AMF () is an AMF () of the MSO operator network.

116 370 422 122 120 116 372 424 118 102 122 122 102 118 118 116 118 102 Method Embodiment 6B. The method of Method Embodiment 6, further comprising: operating the AMF () to receive (or) a grant renewal response from the first UE () (e.g., a grant renewal response communicated via the second base station (); and operating the AMF () to communicate (or) the grant renewal response to the first base station () (e.g., the grant renewal response from the SAS () received by the first UE () corresponding to the grant renewal request sent by the first UE () to the SAS () on behalf of the first base station () is communicated to the first base station () by the AMF () to thereby notify the first base station () of the grant renewal in cases where the SAS () renewed the first base station's resource grant).

118 136 Method Embodiment 7A. The method of Method Embodiment 1, wherein the first base station () is located in a first network (e.g., a MSO network, e.g., Charter network, including small cell CBRS base stations owned by the MSO); and wherein a third base station () is located in a second network (e.g., a MNO network, e.g., a Verizon network, including macro cell base stations owned by the MNO, which are allowed to be used by subscriber UEs of the MSO network in accordance with an agreement between the MSO and the MNO).

122 118 122 122 136 122 122 Method Embodiment 7B. The method of Method Embodiment 1, wherein the first UE () is a dual SIM UE; wherein the first base station () is located in a first network which the UE () can access using a first SIM in the first UE (); and wherein a third base station () is located in a second network which the first UE () can access using a second SIM in the first UE ().

122 Method Embodiment 7C. The method of Method Embodiment 7B, wherein the first UE () is a dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) UE.

Method Embodiment 7D. The method of Method Embodiment 7C, wherein the first and second SIMs are implemented using removable SIM cards.

Method Embodiment 7E. The method of Method Embodiment 7C, wherein the first and second SIMs are implemented using first and second profiles loaded on eSIM chips.

Method Embodiment 7F. The method of Method Embodiment 7C, wherein one of the first and second SIMs is implemented using a removable SIM card, and wherein the other one of the first and second SIMs is implemented using a profile loaded on an eSIM chip.

118 312 120 118 364 416 Method Embodiment 8. The method of Method Embodiment 3A, further comprising: operating the first base station () to send () a grant renewal request to the second base station () via an Xn interface; and operating the first base station () to receive (or) a grant renewal request response from the second base station via the Xn interface.

100 118 600 602 116 1000 1002 602 234 118 118 102 118 102 102 118 102 104 118 102 104 118 236 118 238 116 1002 241 116 120 120 116 118 118 102 108 System Embodiment 1. A communications system () comprising: a first base station (MSO gNB1Aor) including a first processor (); and an access and mobility management function (AMF) device (or) including a second processor (); and wherein said first processor () is configured to operate the first base station to: detect (), at the first base station (MSO gNB1A), reaching a predetermined time to Spectrum Access System (SAS) resource grant expiration (e.g., within 2 minutes of the time that the resource grant will expire (e.g., due to a failure of the first base station () to receive a heartbeat message required to maintain an existing resource grant or failure of the SAS () to receive a resource grant renewal request required due to the upcoming expiration of an existing resource grant or failure of the first base station () to receive a resource grant renewal request response from the SAS ()) (e.g., due to a failure of the implemented communications path between the SAS () and the first base station (), said implemented communications path including interfaces of the SAS (), domain proxy (), and first base station () and links between the elements (,,)); send (), from the first base station (), in response to reaching the predetermined time to grant expiration, an upcoming timer expiration message () to an AMF (MSO AMF); and wherein said second processor () is configured to: operate () the AMF () to identify a UE at a second base station (gNBNA) (where the second base station () has communications connectivity to the AMF () that also provides service to the first base station (gNB1A) for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station (gNB1A) to the SAS () (e.g., via a server, e.g. connection manager server ()).

1002 116 102 System Embodiment 1A. The communications system of System Embodiment 1, wherein said second processor () is configured to: operate the AMF to identify a UE which has a connection manager application for controlling communication with a connection manager server () which has communications connectivity to the SAS (), as part of being configured to operate the AMF to identify a UE at a second base station.

System Embodiment 1B. The communications system of System Embodiment 1A, wherein the identified UE is a dual subscriber identity module (SIM) UE.

1002 116 250 122 120 241 116 120 System Embodiment 2. The communications system of System Embodiment 1, wherein said second processor () is configured to: operate the AMF () to select () a UE (e.g., UE1) which is currently active at the second base station (e.g., gNBNA), as part of being configured to operate () the AMF () to identify a UE at a second base station (gNBNA) for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station.

1002 116 250 122 120 108 241 116 120 118 System Embodiment 3. The communications system of System Embodiment 1, wherein said second processor () is configured to: operate the AMF () to select () a UE (UE1) which is currently active at the second base station (gNBNA) (and has a connection manager which can connect to the connection manager server ()), as part of being configured to operate () the AMF () to identify a UE at a second base station (gNBNA) for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station (gNB1A).

1002 116 294 118 122 120 102 102 122 296 118 System Embodiment 3A. The communications system of System Embodiment 3, wherein said second processor () is further configured to: operate the AMF () to indicate () to the first base station () the selected active UE () at the second base station () which is to be used for communicating the grant renewal request to the SAS () (e.g., SAS () indicates the selected active UE () by communicating a UE identifier and also indicates the second base station, e.g., using an identifier of the second base station, in message () which is communicated to the first base station ()).

602 118 312 118 122 123 122 System Embodiment 3B. The communications system of System Embodiment 3A, wherein said first processor () is further configured to: operate the first base station () to communicate () a grant renewal request to the second base station via an Xn interface, said grant renewal request seeking renewal by the first base station () of SAS granted resources (said grant renewal request message being directed to the first UE () for processing by the connection manager application () within the first UE ()).

102 1100 1102 102 340 392 122 118 116 116 120 136 102 342 394 122 344 396 116 120 136 122 108 102 System Embodiment 3C. The communications system of System Embodiment 3B, further comprising: said SAS (or) including a third processor () configured to: operate the SAS () to receive (or) a grant renewal request communicated from the first UE () on behalf of the first base station () (e.g., via the connection manager serverand a connection between the UE and connection manager server (), said connection to the connection manager server being either via the second base station () or a third base station ()); and operate the SAS () to communicate (or) a grant renewal request response to the first UE(e.g., by sending a grant renewal request response (or) via connection manager server () and the base station (or) used as part of the communications path between the UE () and connection manager server () used to communicate with the SAS ()).

122 800 802 122 354 406 118 122 356 406 120 362 414 118 120 118 System Embodiment 3D. The communications system of System Embodiment 3C, further comprising: said first UE (or) including a fourth processor () configured to: operate the first UE () to communicate (or) the grant renewal request response to the first base station () (e.g. first UE () sends grant renewal request response message (or) to second base station () for forwarding (as messageor) to the first base station () via an Xn interface and corresponding Xn connection between the second base station () and first base station ()).

122 800 802 122 123 122 330 382 102 108 120 136 122 324 System Embodiment 3E. The communications system of System Embodiment 3B, further comprising said first UE (or) including a third processor () configured to: operate the first UE () (e.g., under control of the connection manager application () in the first UE ()) to send (or) the grant renewal request to the SAS () (e.g., via the connection manager server () and either the second base station () or a third base station () depending on which available connection the UE () selects (e.g., in step) to use in communicating the grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station).

1002 116 252 122 116 116 241 116 120 118 System Embodiment 4. The communications system of System Embodiment 1, wherein said second processor () is configured to: operate the AMF () to select () an inactive UE (UE 1) which is a last known active UE with a connection manager that was connected to a base station associated with the AMF () (and thus has communications connectivity to the first AMF ()), said selected UE being a first UE, as part of being configured to operate() the AMF () to identify a UE at a second base station (gNBNA) for communicating a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station ().

1002 116 258 259 122 116 122 122 102 118 System Embodiment 5. The communications system of System Embodiment 4, wherein said second processor () is further configured to: operate the AMF () to send () a (Radio Access Network) RAN paging request message () to initiate paging of the first UE () (e.g., the AMF () triggers paging of the first UE () so that the first UE () will transition into an active state in which it can be used for communicating the grant renewal request to the SAS () on behalf of the first base station ()).

118 602 118 261 120 System Embodiment 5A. The communications system of System Embodiment 5, wherein the RAN paging request message is sent to the first base station (gNB1A)), and wherein said first processor () is further configured to: operate the first base station () to communicate () the RAN paging request message to the second base station () via an Xn interface.

System Embodiment 5B. The communications system of System Embodiment 5A, further comprising:

120 700 702 271 120 122 274 122 said second base station (or) including a third processor () configured to: operate () the second base station () to reestablish a radio connection with the first UE () (e.g., communicate () one or more RRC connection resume signals to the first UE () as part of a connection re-establishment procedure).

1002 288 116 122 118 116 118 120 122 102 118 108 123 122 108 120 136 123 122 108 System Embodiment 6. The communications system of System Embodiment 4, wherein said second processor () is further configured to: operate () the AMFto communicate a grant renewal request to the first UE () on behalf of the first base station () (e.g. the AMFsends a grant renewal request on behalf of the first base station () to the second base station () for delivery to the first UE () which is to then communicate it to the SAS () on behalf over the first base station () via the connection manager server () with the connection manager application () on the first UE () handling the communication to the connection manager server () via an available communications link which can be through either the second base station () or a partner network base station (gNB1B) through which the connection manager application () on the UE () can connect to the connection manager server ()).

122 800 802 122 330 382 118 102 System Embodiment 6AA. The communications system of System Embodiment 6, further comprising: said first UE (or) including a third processor () configured to: operate the first UE () to communicate (or) the grant renewal request corresponding to the first base station () to the SAS ().

802 122 330 120 122 330 382 118 102 System Embodiment 6AA1. The communications system of System Embodiment 6AA, wherein said third processor () is configured to: operate the first UE () to send () the grant renewal request through the second base station (), as part of being configured to operate the first UE () to communicate (or) the grant renewal request corresponding to the first base station () to the SAS ().

802 System Embodiment 6AA2. The communications system of System Embodiment 6AA, wherein said third processor () is configured to:

382 136 122 330 382 118 102 operate the first UE to send () the grant renewal request through a third base station (MNO gNB1B), as part of being configured to operate the first UE () to communicate (or) the grant renewal request corresponding to the first base station () to the SAS ().

122 123 123 122 122 108 102 System Embodiment 6AB. The communications system of System Embodiment 6AA, wherein said first UE () includes a connection manager application (); and wherein the connection manager application () on the first UE () controls the first UE () to send the grant renewal request to a connection manager server () for forwarding to the SAS ().

118 System Embodiment 6AC. The communications system of System Embodiment 6, wherein said first base station () is a Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) base station.

136 118 120 System Embodiment 6AD The communications system of System Embodiment 6AA2, wherein the third base station () is a base station of a second network (e.g., partner MNO network which the UE has connectivity to) which is different from a first network (e.g., MSO network operator's own network) in which the first base station () and second base station () are located.

118 120 116 116 System Embodiment 6AF. The communications system of System Embodiment 6, wherein the first and second base stations (,) are base stations of a first multi-system operator network (MSO) and wherein the first AMF () is an AMF () of the MSO operator network.

1002 116 370 422 122 120 116 372 424 118 102 122 122 102 118 118 116 118 102 System Embodiment 6B. The communications system of System Embodiment 6, wherein said second processor () is further configured to: operate the AMF () to receive (or) a grant renewal response from the first UE () (e.g., a grant renewal response communicated via the second base station (); and operate the AMF () to communicate (or) the grant renewal response to the first base station () (e.g., the grant renewal response from the SAS () received by the first UE () corresponding to the grant renewal request sent by the first UE () to the SAS () on behalf of the first base station () is communicated to the first base station () by the AMF () to thereby notify the first base station () of the grant renewal in cases where the SAS () renewed the first base station's resource grant).

118 136 System Embodiment 7A. The communications system of System Embodiment 1, wherein the first base station () is located in a first network (e.g., a MSO network, e.g., Charter network, including small cell CBRS base stations owned by the MSO); and wherein a third base station () is located in a second network (e.g., a MNO network, e.g., a Verizon network, including macro cell base stations owned by the MNO, which are allowed to be used by subscriber UEs of the MSO network in accordance with an agreement between the MSO and the MNO).

122 118 122 122 136 122 122 System Embodiment 7B. The communications system of System Embodiment 1, wherein the first UE () is a dual SIM UE; wherein the first base station () is located in a first network which the UE () can access using a first SIM in the first UE (); and wherein a third base station () is located in a second network which the first UE () can access using a second SIM in the first UE ().

122 System Embodiment 7C. The communications system of System Embodiment 7B, wherein the first UE () is a dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) UE.

809 819 System Embodiment 7D. The communications system of System Embodiment 7C, wherein the first and second SIMs are implemented using removable SIM cards (,)

876 878 829 831 System Embodiment 7E. The communications system of System Embodiment 7C, wherein the first and second SIMs are implemented using first and second profiles (,) loaded on eSIM chips (,).

809 878 829 System Embodiment 7F. The communications system of System Embodiment 7C, wherein one of the first and second SIMs is implemented using a removable SIM card (), and wherein the other one of the first and second SIMs is implemented using a profile loaded () on an eSIM chip ().

602 118 312 120 118 364 416 System Embodiment 8. The communications system of System Embodiment 3A, wherein said first processor () is further configured to: operate the first base station () to send () a grant renewal request to the second base station () via an Xn interface; and operate the first base station () to receive (or) a grant renewal request response from the second base station via the Xn interface.

Various embodiments are directed to apparatus, e.g., base stations, e.g., MSO CBRS gNB base stations and MNO macro gNB base stations, UEs including CM, servers, e.g. CM servers, core nodes, e.g., AMF core nodes, SAS, Domain Proxies, OSS, sector base stations, such as gNB, ng-eNBs, eNBs, etc. supporting beamforming, UEs, base stations supporting massive MIMO such as CBSDs supporting massive MIMO, network management nodes, access points (APs), e.g., WiFi APs, base stations such as NRU gNB base stations, etc., user devices such as stations (STAs), e.g., WiFi STAs, user equipment (UE) devices, LTE LAA devices, various types of RLAN devices, etc., other network communications devices such as routers, switches, etc., mobile network operator (MNO) base stations (macro cell base stations and small cell base stations) such as a Evolved Node B (eNB), gNB or ng-eNB, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) base stations such as Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs), network nodes, MNO and MVNO HSS devices, relay devices, e.g. mobility management entities (MMEs), an AFC system, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) device, servers, customer premises equipment devices, cable systems, network nodes, gateways, cable headend and/or hubsites, network monitoring nodes and/or servers, cluster controllers, cloud nodes, production nodes, cloud services servers and/or network equipment devices. Various embodiments are also directed to methods, e.g., method of controlling and/or operating a base station, e.g. base station, e.g., a MSO CBRS gNB base station, MNO macro gNB base station, a UE including CM, a server, e.g. CM server, a core nodes, e.g., AMF core node, a Domain Proxy, an OSS, a sector base station, such as gNB, ng-eNB, eNB, etc., supporting beamforming, UEs, a base station supporting massive MIMNO such as a CBSD supporting massive MIMO, a network management node, access points (APs), e.g., WiFi APs, base stations such as NRU gNB base stations, etc., user devices such as stations (STAs), e.g., WiFi STAs, user equipment (UE) devices, LTE LAA devices, various types of RLAN devices, network communications devices such as routers, switches, etc., user devices, base stations, e.g., eNB and CBSDs, gateways, servers (HSS server), MMEs, an AFC system, cable networks, cloud networks, nodes, servers, cloud service servers, customer premises equipment devices, controllers, network monitoring nodes and/or servers and/or cable or network equipment devices. Various embodiments are directed to communications networks which are partners, e.g., a MSO network, a MNO network and/or a MVNO network. Various embodiments are also directed to machine, e.g., computer, readable medium, e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, hard discs, etc., which include machine readable instructions for controlling a machine to implement one or more steps of a method. The computer readable medium is, e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes and methods disclosed is an example of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes and methods may be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. In some embodiments, one or more processors are used to carry out one or more steps of the each of the described methods.

In various embodiments each of the steps or elements of a method are implemented using one or more processors. In some embodiments, each of elements are steps are implemented using hardware circuitry.

In various embodiments nodes and/or elements described herein are implemented using one or more components to perform the steps corresponding to one or more methods, for example, message reception, message generation, signal generation, signal processing, sending, comparing, determining and/or transmission steps. Thus, in some embodiments various features are implemented using components or in some embodiment's logic such as for example logic circuits. Such components may be implemented using software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

Many of the above described methods or method steps can be implemented using machine executable instructions, such as software, included in a machine readable medium such as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control a machine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods, e.g., in one or more nodes. Accordingly, among other things, various embodiments are directed to a machine-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium, including machine executable instructions for causing a machine, e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the above-described method(s). Some embodiments are directed to a device, e.g., a base station, e.g., MSO CBRS gNB base station, a MNO macro gNB base station, a UE including CM, a server, e.g. CM server, core nodes, e.g., a AMF core node, a SAS, a Domain Proxies, an OSS, a base station, e.g. a sector base station, such as gNB, ng-eNB, eNB, etc., supporting beamforming, a UE, a base station supporting massive MIMO such as a CBSD supporting massive MIMO, a network management device, an access points (AP), e.g., WiFi AP, base stations such as NRU gNB base station, etc., a user device such as a station (STA), e.g., WiFi STA, a user equipment (UE) device, LTE LAA device, etc., an RLAN device, other network communications devices a network communications device such as router, switch, etc., a MVNO base station such as a CBRS base station, e.g., a CBSD, a device such as a cellular base station e.g., an eNB, a MNO HSS server, a MVNO HSS server, a UE device, a relay device, e.g. a MME, a AFC system, etc., said device including a processor configured to implement one, multiple or all of the steps of one or more methods of the invention.

In some embodiments, the processor or processors, e.g., CPUs, of one or more devices, e.g., a base station, e.g. a sector base station, such as gNB, ng-eNB, eNB, etc., supporting beamforming, a UE, a base station supporting massive MIMO such as a CBSD supporting massive MIMO, a network management device, communications nodes such as e.g., access points (APs), e.g., WiFi APs, base stations such as NRU gNB base stations, etc., user devices such as stations (STAs), e.g., WiFi STAs, user equipment (UE) devices, LTE LAA devices, etc., various RLAN devices, network communications devices such as routers, switches, etc., a MVNO base station such as a CBRS base station, e.g. a CBSD, an device such as a cellular base station e.g., an eNB, a MNO HSS server, a MVNO HSS device server, a UE device, a relay device, e.g. a MME, a AFC system, are configured to perform the steps of the methods described as being performed by the communications nodes, e.g., controllers. The configuration of the processor may be achieved by using one or more components, e.g., software components, to control processor configuration and/or by including hardware in the processor, e.g., hardware components, to perform the recited steps and/or control processor configuration.

Accordingly, some but not all embodiments are directed to a device, e.g., a base station, e.g., MSO CBRS gNB base station, a INO macro gNB base station, a UE including CM, a server, e.g. CM server, a core node, e.g., an AMF core node, a SAS, a Domain Proxy, an OSS, a sector base station, such as gNB, ng-eNB, eNB, etc., supporting beamforming, a UE, a base station supporting massive MIMO such as a CBSD supporting massive MIMO, a network management device, an access points (AP), e.g., WiFi AP, a base station such as NRU gNB base station, etc., a user device such as station (STA), e.g., WiFi STA, a user equipment (UE) device, an LTE LAA device, etc., a RLAN device, a network communications device such as router, switch, etc., administrator device, security device, a MVNO base station such as a CBRS base station, e.g. a CBSD, an device such as a cellular base station e.g., an eNB, a MNO HSS server, a MVNO HSS device server, a UE device, a relay device, e.g. a MME, includes a component corresponding to each of one or more of the steps of the various described methods performed by the device in which the processor is included. In some but not all embodiments a device, e.g., a communications node such as a base station, e.g. a sector base station, such as gNB, ng-eNB, eNB, etc., supporting beamforming, a UE, a base station supporting massive MIMO such as a CBSD supporting massive MIMO, a network management device, an access points (AP), e.g., WiFi AP, a base station such as NRU gNB base station, etc., a user device such as a station (STA), e.g., WiFi STA, a user equipment (UE) device, a LTE LAA device, a RLAN device, a router, switch, etc., administrator device, security device, a AFC system, a MVNO base station such as a CBRS base station, e.g., a CBSD, a device such as a cellular base station e.g., an eNB, an MNO HSS server, a MVNO HSS device server, a UE device, a relay device, e.g. a MME, includes a controller corresponding to each of the steps of the various described methods performed by the device in which the processor is included. The components may be implemented using software and/or hardware.

Some embodiments are directed to a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising code for causing a computer, or multiple computers, to implement various functions, steps, acts and/or operations, e.g., one or more steps described above.

Depending on the embodiment, the computer program product can, and sometimes does, include different code for each step to be performed. Thus, the computer program product may, and sometimes does, include code for each individual step of a method, e.g., a method of controlling a controller or node. The code may be in the form of machine, e.g., computer, executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory) or other type of storage device. In addition to being directed to a computer program product, some embodiments are directed to a processor configured to implement one or more of the various functions, steps, acts and/or operations of one or more methods described above. Accordingly, some embodiments are directed to a processor, e.g., CPU, configured to implement some or all of the steps of the methods described herein. The processor may be for use in, e.g., a base station, e.g., a sector base station, such as gNB, ng-eNB, eNB, etc., supporting beamforming, a UE, a base station supporting massive MIMO such as a CBSD supporting massive MIMO, a network management node or device, a communications device such as a communications nodes such as e.g., an access point (AP), e.g., WiFi AP, a base station such as NRU gNB base station, etc., a user device such as a station (STA), e.g., WiFi STA, a user equipment (UE) device, a LTE LAA device, etc., an RLAN device, a network communications device such as router, switch, etc., administrator device, MNVO base station, e.g., a CBSD, an MNO cellular base station, e.g., an eNB or a gNB, a UE device or other device described in the present application. In some embodiments, components are implemented as hardware devices in such embodiments the components are hardware components. In other embodiments components may be implemented as software, e.g., a set of processor or computer executable instructions. Depending on the embodiment the components may be all hardware components, all software components, a combination of hardware and/or software or in some embodiments some components are hardware components while other components are software components.

Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of the various embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description. Such variations are to be considered within the scope. Numerous additional embodiments, within the scope of the present invention, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and the claims which follow. Such variations are to be considered within the scope of the invention.